A T H O M E W I T H | L U C Y B L A I R A K I N

A silent roar of change has been emanating through Los Angeles’ fashion scene with a new league of influential heavy-hitters redefining the California cool approach to style. Lucy Akin—the girl on the tip of everyone’s tongue—has sparked the next wave of fashion with her boutique, Shop Super Street—housing street-savvy brands you won’t find anywhere else. From Y/Project to Sandy Liang to Simon Miller to emerging designer, Dry Clean Only—L.A.’s style scene is getting a radical makeover thanks to Lucy’s keen eye and sharp fashion sensibility. With a bustling boutique stocked with lines every girl is clamoring for it’s safe to say that Lucy and her devoted Shop Super Street team are making their mark as bona fide trailblazers.

SORELLE spent a summer afternoon basking in Lucy’s artful Los Feliz home—discovering the multi-faceted redhead with a warm heart and a sunny disposition that radiates wherever she goes. She divulges with SORELLE on how she hunts for scouting up-and-coming designers, her most treasured possession and her favorite musician no one could ever guess. Our day with Lucy reminded us that fashion doesn’t have to be so serious—in fact it can be fun and yes, rewarding.

How did you start your career in fashion? During college, I studied abroad in Paris and decided to intern at Tatler Magazine in London. After studying abroad, I came back to Los Angeles and interned at Jenni Kayne before I was hired on as her studio assistant. I knew I didn’t want to be on the design side so I got a job at Satine, where I eventually was offered the position as head buyer. I got to travel to New York and Paris four times a year and after doing that for a while it became clear that I wanted to do my own thing—then I launched Shop Super Street in March of 2014.

What is the backstory behind the birth and creation of Shop Super Street?

Shop Super Street was created because I really wanted to present a special mix that showcased small designers with big brand names. I think it’s really unique that we sell a Rodarte dress to the same person who buys Huf Plantlife socks. We have so many clients who “get it” and it’s been really awesome.

Your store is a modern-day treasure trove—stocked with ‘it’ factor clothes and must-have accessories. How do you discover and curate your store with one-of-a-kind brands and pieces?

I really enjoy the hunt for a new brand—it comes to me in all different ways. Instagram wormholes, word of mouth, showrooms carrying new brands, niche magazines. It’s kind of just keeping your eyes open and never judging a brand by its’ reputation.

In five words or less, how would you describe Shop Super Street’s philosophy on style?

Cool clothes for cool girls.

Since the launch of Shop Super Street, have you faced any challenges?

Definitely! Owning your own business is so hard. I started this when I was 24 and at the end of the day, you’re responsible for every decision. Being a boss has been a huge learning experience. I’ve had to juggle so much and learn proper boundaries with the business. Sometimes you just take it so personally when things don’t go as planned.

How would you describe your day-to-day style and what tried-and-true brands do you gravitate towards the most?

My everyday style is very plain—I’m very over-stimulated with how many brands I see during fashion week, so when it comes to my own body I stick to the basics. I love a good fitting pant and a plain t-shirt. Pair it with a statement shoe and a weird bag, and that’s basically me in a nutshell. Miuccia Prada has always been a style hero of mine as well as Nicolas Ghesquière.

In your closet, what are the most prized possessions you own and could never part with?

I have a vintage Paco Rabanne super small evening bag that is made of metallic chain linked paillettes—it’s pretty much fallen apart from too much wear but I could never give it away.

Who is your biggest style icon and source of inspiration?

This changes all the time for me, but right now it’s Gwyneth Paltrow circa Great Expectations. I re-watched the movie while I was sick in bed last month and was ogling the old Donna Karan pieces. I think that costuming definitely defined a time period for a lot of people.

For Fall, what are the main pieces you’re currently lusting after and waiting to hit shelves?

I cant wait for these repurposed Nike jackets by Dry Clean Only to hit the shelves—the designer has embroidered and embellished bomber jackets with Nike logos and they’re INCREDIBLE looking. We are the only store in the USA to stock the brand so they’re super special to any customer who is able to get their hands on one! We’ve got a crazy wait list already for them.

What musician do you never get sick of listening to?

Britney Spears…LOL!

If you could plan the perfect evening and or outing, what would it consist of?

With the amount of work I do these days, my perfect night is a big group of friends at a restaurant with a ton of ambiance for a long food and wine-filled dinner. Nothing makes me happier than being around friends in an intimate setting now.

Do you have any guilty pleasures?

Bad TV—I can tell you my feelings about every single Bravo housewife out there. I also love pop music—if it doesn’t have a hook, I’m not paying attention.